At the Edge of all the Light...Faith

 "When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen-  there will be something solid for us to stand on or God will teach us to fly"- "Faith", by Patrick Overton, The Leaning Tree.

For years, I had a calligraphy wall hanging with this quote in my front hall. It spoke to me on a level that I didn't fully understand until now. Faith is so much more than a profession of belief or an adherence to dogma; it is a willingness to surrender all to a God we cannot see or really even comprehend.  Sometimes, we don't fully realize how difficult true faith is until we are in a situation where we must simply trust that there is a Benevolent Being who will take over when we have come to the end of ourselves, when we have nothing left to give.

It's really hard to give up control, to let go of our attachment to a certain outcome and to release our expectations for someone or something. Many of us, particularly women of a certain generation, are nurturers and "fixers"... always wanting to make things better, more beautiful, closer to the ideals that we hold in our minds.  But people don't always appreciate our attempts to mold them as a potter molds clay, to lend a hand, to offer a band-aid.  Sometimes what's needed is to let someone fall and then pick themselves up with God's help, not ours.

This definition of faith applies to so many situations in life really.  Whenever we seem to come to a roadblock, where the way forward is unclear and a little (or a lot) scary, we can surrender our sense of control and our expectations, pause to pray and then just wait...for a glimmer of light on the path, for the "something solid to stand on", for some newfound ability to fly.  Sometimes, to do nothing and simply wait for a sign or a bit of guidance, is the best course of "action" we can take.

So on this wintry Valentine's morning, as we think about those we love and care deeply for, may we trust that God knows them best and is doing a good work in each one of them.  May we trust the people and situations in our lives to that Higher Power who lives in and all around us, breathing life into all.